Disposable superabsorbent bib

ABSTRACT

An improved lidded container includes a receptacle portion with a brim having a plurality of lateral substantially straight brim wall segments provided with medial sealing beads extending between corners of the brim. The medial sealing beads are characterized in that they project away from the respective walls upon which they are disposed a maximum distance at a central portion of the wall and the medial sealing beads extend over a major portion of the length of the lateral sealing wall upon which they are disposed. Most preferably, the beads are flush with and terminate at rounded corners between the wall segments.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved disposable bib formed of multiple plies of material and having superabsorbent and liquid retention properties. Preferably, the disposable bib comprises at least a first ply of liquid permeable and partially absorbent flexible sheet material forming the front of the bib and a second ply of liquid impermeable flexible sheet material forming the back of the bib and bonded to the first ply with a quantity of superabsorbent natural or synthetic polymer having the capability to retain absorbed liquid disposed between the plies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable bibs commonly consist of a layered structure of plies, generally comprising a front layer that is liquid permeable, often simply an absorbent paper, laminated to a liquid impermeable rear layer, there being some means by which the bib is secured to the user. Most of such bibs have a limited absorbability and once saturated must be changed. Furthermore, since the front ply is also the absorbent ply it can quickly become of little use for wiping the user's face.

Examples of disposable bibs include U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,411 which describes a bib comprising an outer absorbent paper layer and an inner waterproof layer configured to provide an apron with a yoke and bonded together in overlapping relationship with adhesive and overlocking edge stitching. The bib of this patent relies solely on the outer absorbent paper layer and, therefore, has limited absorbability.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,851 describes a disposable bib having a backing layer of water repellent material and a front central portion made of water absorbent ply material. The front area of this bib around the central portion of water absorbent material is described as a water repellent ply. The effect of this structure is to limit the water absorbable area of the bib to the central portion of the front ply.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,150 describes a bib having three layers, a first water permeable outer layer that is preferably quilted paper, a middle absorbent layer of fiber fill material and a relatively non-porous plastic bottom layer. A debris catching pocket is provided adjacent the bottom edge. Fiber fill is limited in its liquid absorbent capability with the result that excess liquid either runs off the bib or is expressed back through the water permeable outer layer.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,788 describes a disposable bib having a pressure sensitive adhesive over substantially the entire back surface of the bib to provide secure attachment to the wearer despite movement. The bib is constructed of absorbent sheet material, such as used in household paper towels and may have a liquid impervious layer on the back side. A neck shaped cut-out allows for placement of the bib adjacent to the user's neck with the piece of material removed therefrom reservable as an auxiliary wipe provided one remembers to do so when removing the bib from its backing sheet. A pouch is provided on the back side of the bib with a transverse slit in the front providing access to the pouch.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,333 describes a disposable bib having an upper member of thin plastic mesh material which allows liquid substances to flow therethrough to a first absorbent member of thin paper material. A second absorbent member of thin absorbent cotton material is provided to absorb any liquids not absorbed by the first absorbent member. The bib is also provided with a bottom planar member that is water resistant adjacent to the second absorbent member.

The prior art relies on conventional absorbent materials to provide liquid absorbency in disposable bibs. As such the absorbency and water holding capabilities of disposable bibs are limited to the point that, often, multiple bibs are required. Furthermore, those disposable bibs which include a pouch for capturing solid detritus do not make full use of the absorbent materials of the bibs in their structure.

Thus, there is a need for a disposable bib having improved and superabsorbent liquid retention properties, together with a structure which makes the most of the absorbent and superabsorbent liquid retention properties in a bib that is readily and easily used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Presented here is a disposable bib having increased absorbability and liquid retention which has the added feature of maintaining a dry outer surface which can be used for wiping one's face and hands even after the bib has absorbed a significant quantity of liquid. In an alternative embodiment, the bib is provided with a pouch adjacent the bottom edge for the capture of solid detritus and liquid and which makes full use of the superabsorbent and liquid retention properties of selected polymers. In a still further embodiment, the bib includes a removable portion, tearable from the main bib along a perforation, which may be used as a wipe and may be removed as needed during the course of a feeding or other use of the bib. If not needed as a wipe, it remains in place to provide extra protection for the user.

To achieve the superabsorbent and liquid retention properties, the subject bib employs a quantity of one or more superabsorbent polymer materials disposed between a liquid permeable front layer and a liquid impermeable rear layer, the front and rear layers being bonded together along their common edges so as to retain the superabsorbent polymer and absorbed liquids within the bib. The superabsorbent polymers are preferably those that retain absorbed liquid in a gel state so as to prevent the absorbed liquids from seeping back through the front layer. An exemplary bib is shown in the accompanying drawing figures.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a disposable bib comprising a laminated flexible panel adapted to substantially cover a human chest and having means at one end to secure the bib about a human neck whereby the panel is disposed over the chest, the laminated panel comprising: an upper sheet of liquid permeable, flexible material, a lower sheet of liquid impermeable flexible material, and an absorbent material disposed therebetween, whereby the upper sheet and the lower sheet are secured together at least along their common edges whereby the absorbent material is confined therebetween, and the absorbent material comprises at least one superabsorbent natural or synthetic polymer having the capability to absorb and retain liquid passing through the upper sheet.

It is a still further object to provide a multilayer, disposable, absorbent bib comprising a front, liquid permeable layer, a rear, liquid impermeable layer, and an intermediate absorbent layer disposed between the front layer and the rear layer, wherein the intermediate absorbent layer comprises a non-woven mat of absorbent fibers and a quantity of superabsorbent natural or synthetic polymer dispersed among the fibers, the front and rear layers being laminated together to form a single, flexible panel.

It is an even further object to provide an improved disposable bib comprising a laminated flexible panel of a front, liquid permeable layer and a rear liquid impermeable layer adapted to substantially cover a human chest and having means at one end to secure the bib about a user's neck whereby the panel is disposed over the chest, wherein the improvement comprises a quantity of at least one natural or synthetic superabsorbent polymer disposed between the front and rear layers whereby liquid passing through the front layer is absorbed and retained by the polymer, and a pouch and detachable wipe provided on the bib, the pouch and the wipe comprising integral portions of the bib including the superabsorbent polymer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a disposable bib in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3(a)-(d) illustrate plan views of alternative embodiments of the disposable bib where the area of superabsorbency is less than the entire area covered by the bib.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the disposable bib of the present invention having a pouch formed thereon.

FIG. 5 is a cross section along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the disposable bib of the present invention having a pouch and removable wipe formed thereon.

FIG. 7 is a cross section along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a disposable bib according to the present invention having a tear-off portion along the lower edge.

FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway view of the intermediate absorbent layer of the bib of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross section along line 10-10 of FIG. 1 showing an alternative embodiment of the bib of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a bib 1 in accordance with the present invention comprising a chest covering portion 2 and neck straps 3 with releasable securing means 4 on opposite sides of each neck strap. As releasable securing means 4 there may be used spots of hook and loop fasteners, pressure sensitive releasable adhesive, snap fasteners, or the like. Bibs corresponding to the present invention may have different shapes and sizes and means of securing about the neck of the user without departing from the scope of the claims herein. The shapes and fastening means illustrated and described herein are representative.

Referring to FIG. 2, the disposable bib of the preferred basic configuration of the present invention comprises a front layer 5, rear layer 6 and an intermediate absorbent layer 7. The front layer 5 is a woven or nonwoven liquid permeable material having a mesh size sufficiently small that liquid may pass therethrough but that a superabsorbent polymer in loose powder form cannot. Suitable materials for this layer include, but are not limited to, quilted paper, woven or non-woven fabrics of natural or synthetic materials. A particularly suitable material is a nonwoven hydrophobic polypropylene having a basis weight of from about fifteen (15) to about thirty (30) grams per square meter. If desired, a ply of wet-strength tissue may be applied on each side of the front layer 5 to form an envelope thereabout, and which tissue sheet has overlapped longitudinally extending edge portions disposed between the front layer 5 and the rear layer 6. Such tissue paper is excellent for obviating sifting out of the superabsorbent polymer where such is in a particulate form. At least the front layer 5 and the rear layer 6 are bonded together around the entire common periphery to confine the intermediate absorbent layer 7 therebetween.

The intermediate absorbent layer 7 comprises at least a superabsorbent polymer. Although the superabsorbent polymer 11 may be disposed loose between front layer 5 and the rear layer 6, it is preferred that the superabsorbent polymer 11 be disposed within the pores of a core of an airlaid matt of cellulosic fibers 10 which are substantially unbonded to each other through the thickness of the core. This core of airlaid cellulosic fibers 10 and superabsorbent polymer 11 comprises the intermediate absorbent layer 7. The matt may have a basis weight of from about three-hundred-ten (310) grams per square meter to about twelve-hundred-forty (1240) grams per square meter and density of about three hundredths (0.03) to about seven-hundredths (0.07) grams per cubic centimeter. The rear layer 6 is a liquid impermeable material to prevent any soak through from soiling the user's clothing and may be a matte-finish polyethylene having a nominal thickness of about one mil (about 0.0254 mm).

The intermediate absorbent layer 7 may be co-extensive with the front layer 5 and rear layer 6 or it may be restricted to the area of the chest covering portion 2 of the bib 1 or to one portion of the chest covering portion 2, such as the upper one half of that area, thereby leaving the lower one half to serve as a cloth for wiping the user's face and hands. Alternatively the intermediate absorbent layer 7 may be further restricted to an area 8 substantially centrally located about the chest covering portion 2 of the bib 1 as represented by the broken lines in FIG. 3 a. In embodiments where the intermediate absorbent layer 7 is to be limited in area it is advantageous to manufacture the intermediate absorbent layer 7 as a package by confining a piece of the airlaid matt 10 and superabsorbent polymer 11 within a wet-strength tissue wrapping 12 as described above. Such tissue paper is excellent for obviating sifting out of the fibers of the superabsorbent polymer 11 where such is in a particulate form. Indeed, regardless of the extent of the intermediate absorbent layer 7, it may comprise the matt of airlaid fibers 10 as described with the superabsorbent polymer 11 dispersed between the fibers, the whole confined between layers of wet strength tissue 12 sealed around the periphery to form a self contained packet 13 as shown in FIG. 9. This packet may then be placed between the front layer 5 and rear layer 6 which are adhered together around the periphery of the bib.

Alternatively, the superabsorbent polymer 11 may be evenly dispersed between the front layer 5 and rear layer 6 with those layers bonded together around their common peripheries as well as along lines 18 in a criss-cross or other pattern across at least the chest covering portion 2, as shown in FIG. 1, to form a quilted structure wherein quantities of superabsorbent polymer 11 are confined within individual pockets 19 of the quilting, as shown in FIG. 10. A sheet of wet strength tissue 12 may be applied to the inner surface of at least front layer 5 to prevent the particulate superabsorbent polymer 11 from sifting out through the pores of front layer 5. If needed a corresponding sheet of wet strength tissue 12 may also be applied to the inner surface of rear layer 6.

In a still further alternative embodiment, the combination of the air laid matt 10 of fibers and superabsorbent polymer may be applied between the front layer 5 and rear layer 6 and quilted together as above. A thicker and more cushioned bib results from this construction and has the added advantage of the absorbency of both the fibers of the air laid matt 10 and the superabsorbent polymer 11.

The layers of the bib 1 may be adhered together and the lines 18 of quilting may be formed by any means commonly used to bond multiplayer absorbent webs. For example, sewing, hot melt glue, pressure sensitive adhesives, etc.

It is, not intended to limit the present invention to these materials or weights or the like inasmuch as such parameters may be changed to provide embodiments of the invention in a variety of sizes, and capacities, and the like.

Referring now to the superabsorbent polymer, hydrogels are particularly effective. By “hydrogel”, as used herein, is meant an inorganic or organic compound capable of absorbing aqueous fluids and retaining them under moderate pressures. For good results, the hydrogels should be water insoluble. Examples are inorganic materials such as silica gels and organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers. Cross-linking may be by covalent, ionic, vander Waals, or hydrogen bonding. Examples of polymers include, but are not limited to, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers, polyvinyl ethers, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol-acrylate copolymers, polyvinly morpholinone, polymers and copolymers of vinyl sulfonic acid, polyacrylic acid base compolymers, hydrolysis of starch acrylonitrile graft copolymers, starch-acryl acid graft copolymers, polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl pyridine, dextran, agar, gelatine, propylene glycol alginate, sodium alginate, polyethylene imine, and the like. Other suitable hydrogels are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,901,236, issued to Assarsson et al., Aug. 26, 1975, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Particularly preferred polymers for use herein are hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, polyacrylates, and isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymers, or mixtures thereof.

For the purpose of utilizing hydrogels in the present invention, it is essential that relatively dry hydrogel particles be used. Also, neither the fibers, the particles nor the mixture of fibers and particles should be exposed to water in its liquid form, or another solvent, at any time during this process or subsequent thereto. When wet hydrogel particles are used, the fibers tend to become entangled and/or bonded with the particles which result in undesirable stiffness of the absorbent structure. Additionally, wet hydrogel particles would obviously have less absorbency efficacy in the product inasmuch as their potential absorbency would already be diminished.

As used herein, “dry” does not mean “absolutely water-free”. For example, under normal storage and handling conditions, hydrogel particles take up some moisture. The hydrophilic fibers also take up some moisture during storage. Furthermore, it may be desirable to use humidified air for air transport of the fibers and the hydrogel particles, to avoid dusting. Under such process conditions, the hydrogel particles and the fibers will take up even more moisture, but such should be limited so that it does not unduly affect the practice of the present invention.

The superabsorbent polymer which is employed in the intermediate absorbent layer 7 will generally comprise particles of a substantially water-insoluble, slightly cross-linked, partially neutralized, hydrogel-forming polymer material. The term “particles”, as used herein, can refer to particles in any form, such as in the form of pellets, flakes, or fibers.

In one embodiment, the intermediate absorbent layer 7 is a laminate comprised of a layer of superabsorbent polymer material, such as in the form of particles, disposed between two air-laid tissues, first and second tissue layers (or “upper” and “lower” tissue layers). The first and second tissue layers provide containment of the superabsorbent polymer material, improve lateral wicking of the absorbed exudates throughout the intermediate absorbent layer 7 and provide a degree of absorbency. In addition, the first and second tissue layers may be quilted together in the manner described previously before being placed between the front layer 5 and the rear layer 6 of the bib 1.

A suitable laminate is the superabsorbent laminate WATER-LOCK L-535 available from the Grain Processing Corporation of Muscatine, Iowa (WATER-LOCK registered TM by Grain Processing Corporation). Such superabsorbent laminates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,012, entitled “Composition For Absorbent Film And Method Of Preparation”, which issued to Pedersen et al. on Aug. 21, 1984, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,443, entitled “Laminated Absorbent Process”, which issued to Lindsay et al. on Apr. 7, 1981.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, as described above, the intermediate absorbent layer 7 is a laminate comprising an airlaid matt of cellulosic fibers in which the superabsorbent polymer is dispersed, the fibers of the matt providing some absorbency themselves and serving to confine the particles of superabsorbent polymer before, during and after they are exposed to and absorb liquid. The matt and associated polymer are laminated between layers of tissue with the edges of the tissue layers bonded together so as to confine the matt and polymer particles in a package which can then be disposed between the front layer 5 and rear layer 6 of the bib. Such a package may be produced in virtually any shape and/or size to fit anywhere within the bib as indicated in FIGS. 3(a)-(d) where the area 8 of the intermediate absorbent layer 7 is indicated by broken lines. These particular embodiments are intended as illustrative only and are not considered to limit the present invention.

The rear layer 6 is impervious to liquids and, thus, prevents liquid absorbed by the bib 1 from passing through and soiling the clothing of the user. Any material used in the art for such purpose can be utilized herein. Suitable materials include embossed or nonembossed polyethylene films and laminated tissue. A suitable polyethylene film is manufactured by Monsanto Chemical Corporation and marketed in the trade as Film No. 8020.

In a further embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 7, the bib 1 may be provided with a pouch 9 on the front side to catch crumbs and large globs of food and the like. In this embodiment the bib is formed from a sheet of the laminated structure of front layer 5, rear layer 6 and intermediate absorbent layer 7 having an extra length to the chest covering portion 2 thereby permitting the pouch 9 to be formed by folding the lower end of the chest covering portion 2 upward and sealing the folded portion to the rest of the bib along the edges 14. This is shown in FIG. 5 which is longitudinal cross section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4. With this construction, the front layer 5 of the bib 1 forms the inside of the pouch 9 such that liquids and semi-liquids dropped from the user and caught in the pouch will be absorbed into the bib 1 through the liquid permeable front layer 5 to be absorbed by the intermediate absorbent layer 7. Furthermore, by forming the pouch 9 by folding the lower end of the chest covering portion 2 upward, the liquid impermeable rear layer 6 becomes the front of the pouch 9 thereby preventing liquids from seeping out through the front of the pouch 9. Alternatively, the pouch may also be formed by laying a second layer of the liquid impermeable material of rear layer 6 over the lower area of chest covering portion 2 and securing it to the bib 1 around the bottom and two side edges leaving the top edge open to form the pouch 9. Clearly, where the bib 1 is provided with the pouch 9, it is preferred that the intermediate absorbent layer 7 extend into the area covered by the pouch 9.

In a further embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the bib 1 is provided with a lower portion 15 separable from the chest covering portion 2 by a line of perforation 16. In this manner, the lower portion 15 is removable from the rest of the bib 1 to serve as a napkin or wipe. Lower portion 15 may include the superabsorbent polymer, in which case, preferably, the layers 5, 6 and 7 of the bib will be sealed together along lines 17 on each side of the perforation to prevent spillage of the superabsorbent polymer when the lower portion 15 is removed.

A still further embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, combines the features of the pouch 9 and the tear-off wipe or napkin 15. In this embodiment, the chest covering portion 2 of the bib 1 is of sufficient length to permit it to be folded upward as in the embodiment of FIG. 4, with the common edges 14 sealed as before to form a pouch 9. In addition, an extra portion of the length of bib 1 extends beyond the open edge of pouch 9 and is separable therefrom by a line of perforation 16 thereby providing a portion 15 which may be torn off for use as a wipe or napkin. As shown in FIG. 7, this embodiment includes the intermediate absorbent layer 7 through the chest portion 2 of the bib, the pouch 9 and into the tear-off wipe 15 and by forming the pouch 9 and wipe 15 by simply folding the bib material as shown, the front layer 5 of the bib 1 forms the inside of the pouch 9 such that liquids and semi-liquids dropped from the user and caught in the pouch will be absorbed into the bib 1 through the liquid permeable front layer 5 to be absorbed and retained by the intermediate absorbent layer 7, while the tear-off wipe 15 is provided with the front layer 5 outermost so that, if desired, the wipe 15 may be simply left in place over the outer surface of the pouch 9 to catch spills that miss the opening of the pouch 9.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, that all such modifications and changes are within the true spirit and scope of the invention as recited in the following claims. 

1. In a lidded container including a receptacle portion with a brim provided with a plurality of lateral, substantially straight brim wall segments extending between a plurality of corners which link the brim lateral wall segments and a lid adapted to engage the brim, wherein the lid likewise includes a plurality of lateral, substantially straight lid wall segments extending between a plurality of lid corners, the improvement comprising a plurality of medial sealing beads disposed on the substantially straight lateral brim wall segments or the substantially straight lateral lid wall segments, the medial sealing beads being characterized in that: (i) the medial sealing beads project away from their respective walls a maximum distance at a central portion thereof between and distal to adjacent corners with lesser projections away from their lateral walls at their end portions proximate to the corners; and (ii) the medial sealing beads extend over the major portion of the length of the lateral wall segment upon which they are disposed.
 2. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the medial sealing beads terminate at or prior to the corners at either end of the wall segment.
 3. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the brim of the receptacle portion is U-shaped and the lid is provided with a corresponding U-shaped channel.
 4. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of medial sealing beads extends over substantially the entire distance between adjacent corners and wherein the corners are rounded.
 5. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of medial sealing beads defines an arched line between adjacent corners.
 6. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the medial sealing beads blend with the rounded corners at end portions of the medial sealing beads.
 7. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the medial sealing beads are flush with adjacent rounded corners at their end portions.
 8. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the medial sealing beads have an arched profile away from the lateral walls upon which they are disposed.
 9. A lidded container comprising: (a) a receptacle portion having (i) a bottom; (ii) a side wall defining; (iii) an upper aperture; (b) the receptacle portion being further provided with a brim extending around the upper aperture, the brim including: (i) a plurality of rounded corner brim portions; and (ii) a plurality of lateral brim walls extending between the rounded brim corner portions, the walls being configured such that the surfaces are substantially linear along a direction between adjacent brim corners interconnected thereby; (c) a lid adapted to engage the brim and together with the receptacle portion and brim define a sealed container, the lid being suitably provided with: (i) a plurality of lid rounded corner portions; and (ii) a plurality of lateral lid walls extending between the rounded corner portions wherein the lid rounded corner portions and the lid lateral walls are configured to engage corresponding brim corner portions and the lateral brim walls thereof, the lateral lid walls being configured such that their surfaces are substantially linear between adjacent lid corner portions interconnected thereby; and (d) a plurality of medial sealing beads disposed on lateral walls selected from lateral brim walls and lateral lid walls, the sealing beads being characterized in that: (i) the medial sealing beads project away from their respective lateral walls a maximum distance at a central portion thereof between and distal to adjacent corners with lesser projections away from their lateral walls at their end portions proximate adjacent corners; and (ii) the medial sealing beads extend over the major portion of the length of the lateral wall between adjacent corners upon which they are disposed.
 10. The lidded container according to claim 9, thermoformed from a thermoplastic material.
 11. The lidded container according to claim 9, made from a thermoplastic composition comprising a polystyrene polymer composition.
 12. The lidded container according to claim 11, wherein the polystyrene polymer composition comprises high impact polystyrene.
 13. The lidded container according to claim 11, wherein the polystyrene polymer composition comprises rubberized polystyrene.
 14. The lidded container according to claim 11, wherein the polystyrene polymer composition is oriented polystyrene.
 15. The lidded container according to claim 9, made from a thermoplastic composition comprising a polyolefin polymer.
 16. The lidded container according to claim 15, wherein the polyolefin polymer is polypropylene.
 17. The lidded container according to claim 15, wherein the polyolefin polymer is polyethylene.
 18. The lidded container according to claim 9, made from a thermoplastic composition comprising polyethylene terephthalate.
 19. The lidded container according to claim 9, made by way of injection molding.
 20. The lidded container according to claim 9, wherein the container has a fill volume of from about 1 to about 8 fluid ounces.
 21. The lidded container according to claim 20, wherein the container has a fill volume of from about 1 to about 4 fluid ounces.
 22. The lidded container according to claim 20, wherein the container has a fill volume of about 2 fluid ounces.
 23. The lidded container according to claim 9, wherein the brim is U-shaped and the lid is provided with a corresponding U-shaped channel.
 24. The lidded container according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of medial sealing beads extends over substantially the entire distance between rounded corners.
 25. The lidded container according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of medial sealing beads defines an arched line between adjacent rounded corners.
 26. The lidded container according to claim 9, wherein the medial sealing beads blend with the rounded corners at ends of the medial sealing beads.
 27. The lidded container according to claim 9, wherein the medial sealing beads are flush with rounded corners at their end portions.
 28. The lidded container according to claim 9, wherein the medial sealing beads have an arched profile away from the lateral walls upon which they are disposed.
 29. The lidded container according to claim 9, wherein the lateral walls upon which the sealing beads are disposed have an upper portion and lower portion and the medial sealing beads are located proximate to the upper portions of the lateral walls upon which they are disposed.
 30. The lidded container according to claim 29, wherein the lateral walls upon which the medial sealing beads are disposed have a top and bottom defining a height and the medial sealing beads are disposed at the upper portion of its lateral wall at substantially two-thirds the height of the lateral wall.
 31. The lidded container according to claim 9, wherein the medial sealing beads have a maximum projection away from the lateral wall at substantially the center line of the lateral wall.
 32. A thermoformed disposable lidded container comprising: (a) a substantially rectangular receptacle portion with: (i) a bottom; and (ii) a sidewall defining; (iii) an upper aperture; (b) the receptacle portion being further provided with a substantially rectangular brim extending around the upper aperture, the brim including; (i) a U-shaped profile portion defining; (ii) a plurality of rounded corner brim portions; and (iii) a plurality of outer lateral brim walls extending between the rounded brim corner portions, the outer brim walls being configured such that their surfaces are substantially linear along the direction between adjacent brim corner portions interconnected thereby; (c) a lid having: (i) a rectangular sealing channel with rounded corners adapted to fit over the brim thereby forming a sealed container with the receptacle portion; (d) wherein outer lateral brim walls are provided with a plurality of medial sealing beads characterized in that: (i) the medial sealing beads project away from the respective outer lateral brim walls a maximum distance at a central portion thereof between and distal to the corners with lesser projections away from the outer lateral brim wall at its end portions proximate to the corners; and (ii) the medial sealing beads extend over the major portion of the length of the outer lateral brim walls upon which it is disposed between adjacent corners.
 33. The lidded container according to claim 32, wherein each outer lateral brim wall is provided with a medial sealing bead characterized in that: (i) the medial sealing beads project away from the respective outer lateral brim walls a maximum distance at a central portion thereof between and distal to the corners, with lesser projections away from the outer lateral brim wall at its end portions proximate to the corners; and (ii) the medial sealing beads extend over the major portion of the length of the outer lateral brim wall upon which it is disposed between adjacent corners.
 34. The lidded container according to claim 32, wherein the lid is hinged to the receptacle.
 35. The lidded container according to claim 32, wherein the outer lateral walls of the brim have a substantially planar surface.
 36. An integrally formed ensemble of interconnected separable containers and associated lids comprising: (a) a plurality of containers arranged in an array, each container comprising a cup and a lid hingedly adjoined thereto, the containers being separably joined to the ensemble and each of the containers having an upper cup aperture, a cup sidewall and cup bottom and further including a substantially rectangular cup brim about its upper cup aperture including four lateral sealing walls interconnected by four rounded corners; (b) the containers thus including a plurality of lids each of which is hinged to its associated cup; (c) each of said plurality of lids being adapted to cooperate with the sealing walls of its associated cup brim upon pivotable motion of the lid about its hinge to form a sealed container wherein the lateral sealing walls of the brim are each provided with a medial sealing bead characterized in that: (i) the medial sealing beads project away from the respective outer lateral brim walls a maximum distance at central portions thereof between and distal to the corners, with lesser projections away from the outer lateral brim walls at their end portions proximate to the corners; and (ii) the medial sealing beads extend over the major portion of the length of the outer lateral brim wall upon which it is disposed between adjacent corners.
 37. The integrally formed ensemble according to claim 36, wherein the lids are generally co-planar with the upper cup aperture of their associated cups.
 38. The integrally formed ensemble according to claim 36, wherein the containers are separably joined by tearable portions that are perforated.
 39. The integrally formed ensemble according to claim 36, wherein the lids are hinged to the associated cups by way of perforate scored hinged portions of the ensemble.
 40. The integrally formed ensemble according to claim 36, wherein the containers are separately joined by tearable portions that are scored.
 41. The integrally formed ensemble according to claim 36, wherein each container has a fill volume of from about 1 to about 8 fluid ounces.
 42. The integrally formed ensemble according to claim 36, wherein each container has a fill volume of from about 1 to about 4 fluid ounces.
 43. The integrally formed ensemble according to claim 36, wherein each container has a fill volume of about 2 fluid ounces.
 44. The integrally formed ensemble according to claim 36, wherein each lid has a generally planar configuration.
 45. An integrally formed ensemble of interconnected separable containers and associated lids comprising: (a) a first plurality of containers arranged in a first linear array each container comprising a cup and a lid hingedly adjoined thereto, said containers being separably adjoined to each other by a first plurality of tear portions, each of said first plurality of containers having an upper cup aperture, a cup sidewall and a cup bottom and further including a substantially rectangular cup brim with four lateral sealing walls interconnected by four rounded corners wherein the lateral sealing walls of the cup brim are each provided with a medial sealing bead characterized in that: (i) the medial sealing beads project away from the respective outer lateral brim walls a maximum distance at a central portion thereof between and distal to the corners, with lesser projections away from the outer lateral brim wall at their end portions proximate to the corners; and (ii) the medial sealing beads extend over the major portion of the length of the outer lateral brim wall upon which it is disposed between adjacent corners; (b) a second plurality of containers arranged in a second linear array each container comprising a cup and a lid hingedly adjoined thereto, said containers being separably adjoined to each other by a second plurality of tear portions, each of said second plurality of containers having an upper cup aperture, a cup sidewall and a cup bottom and further including a generally rectangular cup brim with four lateral sealing walls interconnected by four rounded corners wherein the lateral sealing walls of the cup brim are each provided with a medial sealing bead characterized in that: (i) the medial sealing beads project away from the respective outer lateral brim walls a maximum distance at a central portion thereof between and distal to the corners, with lesser projections away from the outer lateral brim wall at its end portions proximate to the corners; and (ii) the medial sealing beads extend over the major portion of the length of the outer lateral brim wall upon which they are disposed between adjacent corners; (c) wherein said first linear array of said first plurality of containers is secured to the second linear array of said second plurality of containers by a third plurality of tear portions arranged along a medial axis between said first linear array of said first plurality of containers and said second linear array of said second plurality of containers; (d) there thus being provided a first plurality of lids hinged to said first plurality of cups, said first plurality of lids being arranged in a third linear array generally parallel to the medial axis between the container arrays, said third linear array of said first plurality of lids being generally disposed and hinged along the sides of the first plurality of containers opposite to the sides adjacent the medial axis between said first linear array of said first plurality of containers and said second linear array of said second plurality of containers, said first plurality of lids being adapted to cooperate with the sealing walls of the associated cup brims of the first plurality of containers to provide sealed cup, lid assemblies upon pivotable motion of the lid about its hinge and securing the lid to its associated cup brim of the first plurality of containers; and (e) there being thus further provided a second plurality of lids hinged to said second plurality of containers said second plurality of lids being arranged in a fourth linear array generally parallel to the medial axis between the container arrays, said fourth linear array of said second plurality of lids being generally disposed along the sides of the second plurality of containers opposite to the side adjacent the medial axis between said first linear array of said first plurality of containers and the second linear array of said second plurality of containers; each of said second plurality of lids being adapted to cooperate with the sealing walls of its associated cup brim of the second plurality of containers to provide sealed cup, lid assemblies upon pivotable motion of the lid about its hinge and securing the lid to its associated cup brim of the second plurality of containers, the third linear array of said first plurality of lids and the fourth linear array of said second plurality of lids being thus generally distally and symmetrically disposed with respect to the medial axis between the first linear array of said first plurality of containers and a second array of said second plurality of containers. 